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Medicine: Arkansas Blog, Arkansas TimesDaily Arkansas news, politics and entertainment. Featuring the state's most trusted blog, dining guides and dining reviews, movie times and more.https://www.arktimes.com/imager/b/rss/808579/e619/at_social_logo.png144144Desperation and doubt on display as Ark. State Medical Board considers rules to help curb over-prescription of opioids.https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2018/02/01/desperation-and-doubt-on-display-as-ark-state-medical-board-considers-rules-to-help-curb-over-prescription-of-opioids
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2018/02/01/desperation-and-doubt-on-display-as-ark-state-medical-board-considers-rules-to-help-curb-over-prescription-of-opioidsDavid Koon
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At a meeting of the <b>Arkansas State Medical Board</b> this morning, board members heard from doctors, patients and state leaders on <b>proposed rules changes for physicians, designed to help curb the state's opioid epidemic. </b><br>
<br>
The proposed changes would give the Arkansas State Medical Board the option of revoking or suspending the medical license of any doctor found to have prescribed "excessive amounts of controlled substances to a patent, including the writing of an excessive number of prescriptions for an addicting or potentially harmful drug." As defined in the proposed rule, "excessive" wouldn't include medications given to patients in hospice, being treated for active cancer, emergency inpatient care or end-of-life care. For the treatment of acute pain from surgery or an injury — as opposed to chronic, ongoing pain from an incurable condition — the regulations would define "excessive" as any pain medication prescription written for more than seven days "without detailed, documented medical justification." A PDF of the full, proposed changes can be read below. <br>
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Though the board didn't fully discuss the proposed rules changes today — <b>they will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules changes in April -</b>- they did open the floor for public comment, with chronically ill patients, doctors <g class="gr_ gr_40 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="40" data-gr-id="40">and</g> state drug director Kirk Lane all taking the opportunity to address the board. <br>
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Dr. Carlos Roman, a Russellville physician who heads the board's subcommittee on pain, spoke at length of pharmacists turning away his chronic pain patients who come in with legitimate prescriptions, effectively overruling doctors as to what patients should be prescribed. Roman spoke of a chronic pain patient who was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney last month after the ailment showed up in a full body scan. After he prescribed Xanax for the patient to help her cope with the new diagnosis prior to surgery to remove her kidney, Roman said, the woman's pharmacist refused to fill the Xanax prescription. Patients, Roman said, shouldn't have to explain their medical conditions to a pharmacist to have a prescription filled. "I love the pharmacists," Roman said, "but something needs to be done about pharmacists injecting themselves into the practice of medicine." <br>
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Among several patients who spoke to the board was Joe Phillips, a small business owner who said he hurt his back over 20 years ago. Phillips, who said he takes opioids just to stay mobile, told the board he fears he'll be rendered totally disabled and will be forced to close his business without continued access to his medications. Phillips was the first of several patients who told the board their primary care doctors have drastically scaled back their pain medications after expressing fear the medical board will revoke their licenses if they continued to prescribe high doses of opioids — a worry members of the board repeatedly shot down as uninformed, encouraging several patients who spoke to have their doctors call the board so they could assure them their licenses won't be revoked for medically necessary prescriptions of pain meds. Another patient, Rick Maynard, said his pain from a <g class="gr_ gr_52 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="52" data-gr-id="52">23 year old</g> spinal injury was well maintained with high doses of opioids until his doctor, also worried about losing his license, tapered back his dosage. Now, Maynard said, he's on a daily "roller coaster" of pain. "What am I to do now?" Maynard asked the board members, who told him to have his doctor call. <br>
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Noting new CDC data that shows Arkansas has the second highest prescription rate in the U.S., and a spate of recent drug overdoses in the state — including 16 people saved by Little Rock Police Department officers with <a href="https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2017/09/06/gov-hutchinson-lifesaving-drug-naloxone-now-available-without-prescription-to-those-at-risk-of-opioid-overdose" target="_blank">the overdose antidote Naloxone in January alone</a> — state drug director Kirk Lane told the board that he'd like to see the proposed guidelines lower the acute pain prescription levels from seven to five days. <br>
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UAMS psychiatrist Dr. Rick Smith, who founded the hospital's<a href="http://psychiatry.uams.edu/" target="_blank"> Psychiatric Research Institute, </a>which studies and treats addiction, told the board the he is 'very concerned" that if the state's medical community doesn't find solutions to the opioid crisis, "very restrictive laws will be passed" by the state legislature that will limit the ability of doctors to care for their patients. "We need to take action," Smith said, "rather than someone else taking action." <br>
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<a href="https://www.arktimes.com/media/pdf/doc013118-01312018132341__1_.pdf" target="_blank">Here's the Medical Board's proposed regulation</a>.<br>
<br>
DrugsMedicine
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Thu, 01 Feb 2018 13:56:00 -0600Arkansas TimesArk. Med Marijuana Assoc. to host symposium; keynote by TV host Montel Williams, who will serve on AMMA boardhttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2017/09/11/ark-med-marijuana-assoc-to-host-symposium-keynote-by-tv-host-montel-williams-who-will-serve-on-amma-board
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2017/09/11/ark-med-marijuana-assoc-to-host-symposium-keynote-by-tv-host-montel-williams-who-will-serve-on-amma-boardDavid Koon
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/arktimes/imager/u/blog/9384517/williams.jpg" width="427" height="313" />
<br>
The <b>Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association </b>announced today that they will be hosting a <b>half day symposium</b> on Wednesday, September 20, dealing with the medical cannabis industry and regulatory issues. <b>The keynote address</b> of the symposium will be delivered by TV host and <b>medical marijuana advocate Montel Williams, </b>who has also accepted a position on the AMMA's board. <br>
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The symposium will be held 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the UALR's William H. Bowen School of Law, 1201 McMath Ave., in Little Rock. It is free and open to the public. <a href="https://www.armedicalmarijuana.org/" target="_blank">The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association</a>, just now getting up to speed, hopes to be the primary trade industry group for marijuana cultivators, dispensaries and related businesses in Arkansas. <br>
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Williams, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999, has <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/montel-williams-marijuana-changed-his-life-2017-4" target="_blank">been an outspoken proponent of medical marijuana </a>for those dealing with debilitating illnesses. Williams told Oprah Winfrey in 2009 that before he started using medical marijuana to alleviate his symptoms, the pain and depression caused by his condition were so severe that <a href="http://www.oprah.com/health/montel-williams-battle-with-ms-overcoming-depression-and-pain" target="_blank">he tried to commit suicide by throwing himself in front of a New York taxi cab.</a> In April, Williams launched <a href="http://www.lenitivlabs.com/" target="_blank">a company called Linitiv Labs,</a> which produces and distributes marijuana edibles and cannabis oils at dispensaries in California. <br>
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In a press release from the AMMA, Williams recalled a previous trip to Arkansas to advocate for medical marijuana. “Five years ago, I was in Little Rock on the steps of the State Capitol helping to raise up the voices of the many seriously ill Arkansans who were begging for some compassion," Williams wrote. "I’ll never forget them, so it’s truly an honor for me to join the board of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association as your program begins its implementation. I believe a well-regulated, patient-focused medical marijuana program in Arkansas will lead to conversations in state capitols throughout the South.”<br>
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Read the full press release below: <br>
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<blockquote>
LITTLE ROCK (Sept. 11, 2017) – The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association will host a half-day symposium on cannabis industry and regulatory issues next week featuring a presentation by Emmy award winning talk show host and medical marijuana advocate Montel Williams.<br>
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The symposium will be from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law, 1201 McMath Ave., in Little Rock. It is free to the public. The event takes place just two days after the deadline for medical marijuana cultivation and distribution permit applications to be submitted to the state Medical Marijuana Commission. Potential cultivators and distributors will hear from experts on topics including expectations upon receiving a license and license protection in the event of post-award challenges. <br>
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Also, in addition to Williams’ presentation, attendees will learn about procurement matters specific to the medical marijuana industry. Williams, who has multiple sclerosis, has been outspoken in support of medical marijuana as a treatment option for a variety of chronic illness symptoms. He will serve on the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association’s board, joining a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds in agriculture, law, health care and business.<br>
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“Five years ago, I was in Little Rock on the steps of the State Capitol helping to raise up the voices of the many seriously ill Arkansans who were begging for some compassion. I’ll never forget them, so it’s truly an honor for me to join the board of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association as your program begins its implementation,” Williams said. “I believe a well-regulated, patient-focused medical marijuana program in Arkansas will lead to conversations in state capitols throughout the South.”<br>
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Williams, the founder of medical cannabis company Lenitiv Scientific, has pushed for legalizing medical marijuana in the United States for nearly two decades. In 2012, he visited Arkansas to support the ballot measure that year.<br>
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The host of the Montel Williams Show for 17 years, he experienced his first symptoms of MS in 1999, when he had a sharp, constant pain in his feet and legs. When pharmaceuticals proved ineffective to treat the pain, his physician recommended medical marijuana. Since that time, Williams has been a daily user of medicinal marijuana to help control symptoms from MS and has been one of the nation’s highest profile medical marijuana advocates.<br>
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About the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association:<br>
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The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Association is the leading voice for medical marijuana cultivators, distributors and associated businesses in the Natural State. The association board, a coalition of leaders in health care, agricultural and legal sectors, engages in the policy making process to advocate and promote the industry, educate licensees on best practices to help self-regulate the industry, conducts public education initiatives about the industry at large and encourages the safe use of the drug for medicinal purposes.
</blockquote>
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BusinessMedical MarijuanaMedicine
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Mon, 11 Sep 2017 12:14:00 -0500Arkansas TimesGov. Hutchinson and business leaders: medijuana could cause uncertainty, dangerous working conditions on the job.https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2016/09/28/gov-hutchinson-and-business-leaders-medijuana-could-cause-uncertainty-dangerous-working-conditions-on-the-job
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2016/09/28/gov-hutchinson-and-business-leaders-medijuana-could-cause-uncertainty-dangerous-working-conditions-on-the-jobDavid Koon
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/arktimes/imager/u/blog/4607299/hutchinson.jpg" width="250" height="376" style="display:block; float:left;" />
At a press conference this morning at the State Chamber of Commerce, <b>Gov. Asa Hutchinson </b>continued voicing his <b>opposition to the two ballot initiatives</b> that could bring <b>medical marijuana </b>to the state. Hutchinson was backed by Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin and several prominent Arkansas businessmen, who said they were worried marijuana use by their employees — along with a clause that would keep them from discriminating against those prescribed marijuana for illnesses — would cause safety concerns for their workforce and drive up insurance costs. <br>
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Hutchinson was joined this morning by Joe Carter, CEO of Snyder Environmental, an asbestos abatement company in Little Rock; Grady Harvell, President and CEO of AFCO Steel; Doug Lawson, president and CEO of Kinco Construction, and Butch Rice, President and CEO of Stallion Transportation Group, a trucking company based in Beebe.<br>
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Carter said that while he's a parent and a compassionate person who doesn't want sick people to suffer, he is in opposition to the passage of the initiatives because of the anti-discrimination clause of the bill that would prevent someone who tested positive for marijuana from being fired. Currently, Carter said, there's no clear medical definition of what impairment by marijuana is. <br>
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"I don't know when it's safe, nor can anybody tell me when it's safe, to return that employee [who has been prescribed medical marijuana] back to work which involves hazardous duty," Carter said. "That is very troubling to me as an employer, and I don't know how I can make the state law obligations under either one of these proposed amendments and abide by the federal requirements I have under OSHA to provide a hazard free workplace to my other employees." He said if medical marijuana becomes law, it is "bound to have an impact on my general liability rates" and worker compensation rates. <br>
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"As we continue to grow," Carter said, "and we look to decide whether we're going to employ people in Arkansas, or in Texas or in Louisiana, my concern as a lifelong Arkansan is this will provide tremendous economic incentive for me to employ Texans and other people who do not face this anti-discrimination protection for the use of medical marijuana." <br>
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Harvell said that his business involves heavy equipment and cranes, and that the introduction of employees prescribed medical marijuana would bring risk to not only that person but other employees. "One moment of inattention in our business can create a very serious accident or death," Harvell said. <br>
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Noting that AFCO has facilities in Arkansas and Colorado, Harvell said that in the past three years, their Colorado plant has seen a 300 percent increase in terminations due to drug use. In Arkansas, plants have seen a 57 percent reduction in terminations due to hot drug tests. He said legal advice has told them they can't implement their current drug testing under either of the new laws. <br>
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Rice said that allowing medical marijuana would not only make it harder to hire drivers into the "zero tolerance" industry, but would make highways less safe. Drivers traveling from Arkansas to states which don't have medical marijuana would be an additional issue. <br>
BusinessMedicine
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Wed, 28 Sep 2016 13:03:00 -0500Arkansas TimesLouisiana legislature favoring medical marijuana; that and other questions for Gov. Hutchinsonhttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/05/29/louisiana-legislature-favoring-medical-marijuana-that-and-other-questions-for-gov-hutchinson
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/05/29/louisiana-legislature-favoring-medical-marijuana-that-and-other-questions-for-gov-hutchinsonMax Brantley
The <a href="http://www.americanpress.com/news/local/Jindal-Medical-Marijuana" target="_blank">Louisiana Senate and a House committee have approved</a> a <b>medical marijuan</b>a bill and Gov. Bobby Jindal said he'll sign it if it reaches him.<br>
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It would allow a few regulated distributors to provide marijuana to people with cancer, glaucoma and a severe form of cerebral palsy.<br>
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<b>Gov. Hutchinson?</b> <br>
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It's another question for the press to ask him Hutchinson he signs the <b>corporate welfare</b> bill for wealthy <b>Lockheed Martin </b>and legislation for an ill-considered move of the May primary election and the 2016 fiscal legislative session to accommodate Southern Republican leaders' wish to decide the GOP presidential nomination with a candidate of their liking through a March 1 primary (the Huckster is Hutchinson's pick).<br>
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Hutchinson's office has been mute, too, on what the governor has to say about Sen. Jason Rapert's public assertion that the governor has privately assured him he'd NEVER issue a proclamation guaranteeing equal treatment of gay people in the state workforce. Discrimination will continue to be allowed as long as he is governor.<br>
Arkansas PoliticsMedicine
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Fri, 29 May 2015 10:32:00 -0500Arkansas TimesArk. transgender group receives $15k grant to study trans healthhttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/04/28/ark-transgender-group-receives-15k-grant-to-study-trans-health
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/04/28/ark-transgender-group-receives-15k-grant-to-study-trans-healthDavid Koon
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/arktimes/imager/ark-transgender-group-receives-15k-grant/u/blog/3830707/artec.jpg" width="211" height="196" style="display:block; float:left;" />
<b>Andrea Zekis </b>with the <a href="http://www.artranscoalition.org/" target="_blank">Arkansas Trans Equality Coalition </a>announced today that the group has<b> received a $15,000 grant</b> from the <a href="http://www.pcori.org/content/pipeline-proposal-awards-initiative" target="_blank">Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute in Washington D.C.</a> The grant will be used to research ways to better serve the medical needs of the trans community in Arkansas, in partnership with the UAMS Fay W. Boozman School of Public Health in Little Rock. Trans people — especially those who live in far-flung corners of the state — often face significant obstacles when trying to gain access to healthcare and find healthcare providers sympathetic to and knowledgeable about their needs. <br>
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“National studies have shown half of transgender persons have had to educate their providers about their health care, but when it comes to research, transgender persons can find themselves more often subjects, not drivers or collaborators of the work, so why not empower them to lead,” said Zekis in a statement attached to a press release about the grant. “This PCORI award presents a never before heard of opportunity in Arkansas and rare opportunity nationally to have transgender and gender non-conforming persons statewide work side by side with researchers on an issue so vital to their well-being.”<br>
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For more information about the Arkansas Trans Equality Coalition, visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArkansasTransEquality" target="_blank">their Facebook page </a>or the <a href="http://www.artranscoalition.org/" target="_blank">ARTEC home page</a><br>
LGBTQ RightsMedicine
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Tue, 28 Apr 2015 12:43:00 -0500Arkansas TimesDog at UAMS sniffs out thyroid cancerhttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/03/09/dog-at-uams-sniffs-out-thyroid-cancer
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/03/09/dog-at-uams-sniffs-out-thyroid-cancerMax Brantley
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/arktimes/imager/dog-at-uams-sniffs-out-thyroid-cancer/u/blog/3718759/frankie.jpg" width="480" height="560" />
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UAMS has been making headlines in the scientific world the last few days for research that indicates a dog has been trained to sniff out thyroid cancer.<br>
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<a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150307095943.htm" target="_blank">Science Daily reports</a> on research led by Dr. David Bodenner:<br>
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<blockquote>
A trained scent dog accurately identified whether patients' urine samples had thyroid cancer or were benign (noncancerous) 88.2 percent of the time, according to a new study, to- be presented Friday at the Endocrine Society's 97th annual meeting in San Diego.<br>
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"Current diagnostic procedures for thyroid cancer often yield uncertain results, leading to recurrent medical procedures and a large number of thyroid surgeries performed unnecessarily," said the study's senior investigator, Donald Bodenner, MD, PhD, chief of endocrine oncology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock.<br>
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"Scent-trained canines could be used by physicians to detect the presence of thyroid cancer at an early stage and to avoid surgery when unwarranted," Bodenner commented.
</blockquote>
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Frankie, a German shepherd-mix rescue dog, was trained to recognize the smell of cancer in thyroid tissue. In a test of 34 patients, the dog's diagnostic accuracy — 30 correct — was only8 slightly less accurate that a biopsy.<br>
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HealthMedicine
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Mon, 09 Mar 2015 07:27:00 -0500Arkansas TimesDrug company gives UAMS $10 millionhttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/03/02/drug-company-gives-uams-10-million
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/03/02/drug-company-gives-uams-10-millionLeslie Newell Peacock
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/arktimes/imager/barlogie/u/blog/3689719/barlogie-uams-myeloma.jpg" width="139" height="178" style="display:block; float:right;" />
A pharmaceutical company that manufactures drugs to treat myeloma has donated a total of $10 million to the Myeloma Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, UAMS announced today at a press conference attended by several UAMS administrators and Gov. Asa Hutchinson.<br>
<br>
<b>Celgene Corp.'s</b> gift will be divided in half: $5 million will create the <b>Bart Barlogie Center for Molecular Diagnostics</b> and the other $5 million for the Celgene Distinguished Endowed Chair in Molecular Therapeutics. <br>
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Barlogie led the UAMS myeloma program from 1989 to 2014. He now focuses on clinical care and research with an emphasis on curing high-risk melanoma. He was succeeded by Dr. Gareth Morgan.<br>
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Barlogie has been involved in drug trials with Celgene for several years and is a consultant to the company.<br>
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Also in attendance at the announcement were Myeloma Institute Board Chair Carol Ammon, of Wilmington; Myeloma Institute Board Member Stuart Cobb, who spoke about her experience as a Myeloma Institute patient; UAMS Chancellor Dr Dan Rahn, Morgan and Barlogie.<br>
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<br>
Medicine
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Mon, 02 Mar 2015 15:41:00 -0600Arkansas TimesDept. of Health: Two cases of swine flu confirmedhttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2013/09/13/dept-of-health-two-cases-of-swine-flu-confirmed
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2013/09/13/dept-of-health-two-cases-of-swine-flu-confirmedDavid Koon
The Arkansas Department of Health says that <b>two people from Arkansas</b> have been confirmed to have been <a href="http://www.4029tv.com/news/arkansas/adh-2-cases-of-swine-flu-detected-in-arkansas/-/8897494/21925518/-/h5x67v/-/index.html">infected with <b>swine flu. </b></a>The Department of Health and the CDC said that the two patients involved have recovered from the virus, which sometimes spreads to those who have frequent contact with hogs, but which cannot be spread through eating or handling pork. <br>
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“A few times a year an animal variant of the influenza virus is identified in humans,” State Epidemiologist Dr. David Haselow told Fort Smith's 40/29 TV. “Viruses of this type typically cause only mild illness in those affected and, in contrast to seasonal flu, are not easily transmitted from person to person." <br>
<br>
Depending on the strain, swine-to-human flu such as the H1N1 virus <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-5415715.html">can be particularly deadly,</a> even to those who are young and healthy. <a href="http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/18-swine-flu-deaths-in-Arkansas-vaccines-coming/7_4NF5klDkifzGcziZl7HA.cspx">A </a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_flu_pandemic_in_the_United_States_by_state">pandemic outbreak of H1N1 in the fall of 2009</a> claimed 32 confirmed victims in Arkansas, and 2,290 nationwide. <br>
Medicine
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Fri, 13 Sep 2013 16:17:00 -0500Arkansas TimesFederal government won't try to interfere with state marijuana lawshttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2013/08/29/federal-government-wont-try-to-interfere-with-state-marijuana-laws
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2013/08/29/federal-government-wont-try-to-interfere-with-state-marijuana-lawsMax Brantley
<img src="https://media2.fdncms.com/arktimes/imager/federal-government-wont-try-to-interfere-with-state-marijuana-laws/u/blog/3027504/pot.jpg" width="250" height="222" style="display:block; float:right;" />
The<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/politics/us-says-it-wont-sue-to-undo-state-marijuana-laws.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes"> Obama administration said today</a> it would not sue to interfere with laws in 20 states<b> legalizing marijuana</b> to varying degrees. Two states even allow recreational use.<br>
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This eliminates another one of the arguments against decrminalization or <b>medical marijuana</b> initiatives in<b> Arkansas</b>.<br>
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The<a href="http://what-is-marijuana.com/tag/arkansans-for-responsible-medicine/"> group that lost a close vote</a> on medical marijuana in 2012 (48.5 percent approval) has had a revised proposal approved for petitioning for the 2014 ballot. It removes some minor parts that opponents used in 2012, particularly a provision to allow people to grow pot if they lived a long distance from an approved dispensary.<br>
MedicineArkansas Politics
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Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:44:00 -0500Arkansas TimesRisperdal trial openshttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/03/27/risperdal-trial-opens
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/03/27/risperdal-trial-opensLeslie Newell Peacock
<p>The state's lawsuit against<strong> Johnson and Johnson's Janssen pharmaceutical unit </strong>went to trial today in C<strong>ircuit Judge Tim Fox's</strong> courtroom. <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-03-27/j-and-j-duped-arkansas-doctors-over-risperdal-lawyer-tells-jury">Here's a Bloomberg story</a> on the case, in which the state maintains that the drug company mislead Arkansas doctors about the safety of the drug Risperdal, an anti-psychotic. Bloomberg reports:</p>
<p><blockquote>It’s the fifth jury trial over states’ claims that J&J, the second-biggest maker of health products, hid Risperdal’s diabetes risks and tricked Medicaid regulators into paying millions of dollars more than they should have for the medicine. J&J ended the most recent trial in Texas with a $158 million settlement in January.</blockquote></p>
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Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:14:21 -0500Arkansas TimesLipschitz leaves St. Vincenthttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/02/21/lipschitz-leaves-st-vincent
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/02/21/lipschitz-leaves-st-vincentLeslie Newell Peacock
<img src="https://media1.fdncms.com/arktimes/imager/lipschitz-leaves-st-vincent/u/blog/2080994/1329840447-85718_300.jpg" width="250" height="250" style="display:block; float:right;" />
<p><br />Star geriatrician <strong>Dr. David Lipschitz </strong>is leaving <strong>St. Vincent's Longevity Center</strong> in what sounds like a dispute over pay. An unusually candid news release from hospital president and CEO Peter Banko said, “Unfortunately, after three proposals for working together and several months of discussion, both parties were unable to come to mutual agreement for a continued relationship.”</p>
<p>Lipschitz, also known as "Dr. David," left the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where he was the longtime head of gerontology, in 2008 for the job as longevity center executive director at St. Vincent. <a href="http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aID=130299.54928.142441">Arkansas Business reports </a>he will go to <strong>Baptist Health</strong>; we have a call in to confirm that. <strong>UPDATE</strong>: Mark Lowman of Baptist Health said the hospital has been in talks with Lipschitz for a couple of months, but no contract has been signed yet.</p>
<p>Lipschitz's last day at St. Vincent will be Feb. 29.</p>
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Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:53:09 -0600Arkansas TimesVA smiles on marijuanahttps://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2010/07/24/va-smiles-on-marijuana
https://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2010/07/24/va-smiles-on-marijuanaMax Brantley
<p>The <strong>Department of Veterans Affairs </strong>is moving to allow<strong> medicinal marijuana </strong>in its facilities<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/24/health/policy/24veterans.html?hp"> in 14 states where it's legal.</a></p>
<p>That would not be Arkansas currently, of course. Polls continue to show strong support here for medicinal marijuana, however. Someday, inevitably.</p>
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Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:47:07 -0500Arkansas Times